… Sometimes a controversial vote will cost you your seat. But is a vote for expanded background checks, in fact, political suicide?
The history of members of the House and Senate who lost re-election after casting controversial votes is complex. The causal relationship between the vote (or votes) and defeat is often tenuous.
Would Heitkamp, Begich or Pryor have lost their upcoming elections if they had cast votes in favor of background checks?
The public opinion data on this issue is extensive. Multiple surveys show overwhelming public support for universal background checks of gun buyers. [cont.]
Tom Edsall (Columbia U.), New York Times
Recent polls: Guns